This virtual exhibit
explores a very important
site located within the
community of Bowmanville,
Ontario. The site has had a
long and industrious history
within the community and
beyond. It was first known as
Darch Farm and then known as
the Boys Training School,

which operated on the grounds
from 1925 to 1979. While many
people call it by many
different names the most
popular and arguably the most
important name is Camp 30.
Camp 30 is the reason that
this site holds national
significance. The site was
seconded by the federal

government during WWII due to
the fact that it could easily
be converted to a Prisoner of
War camp. In fact almost
overnight, it was converted
for this use. It operated as
a Prisoner Of War camp from
1941 to 1945 and housed the
highest ranking German
officers captured by Allied

Forces. Today, it remains one
of the last intact Prisoner
of War Camps in Canada. Many
interesting and historically
significant events happened
behind the barbed wire in
Bowmanville during those four
years.
This exhibit of Camp 30
will explore the history of